Barton Ban Boosts Betting Rethink?

Following on from the 18 month football ban for Joey Barton following his betting habits, the Football Association have confirmed they are considering ending their partnerships with gambling firms and alcohol companies.

FA chairman Greg Clarke has confirmed that he's ordered a report into whether or not it is appropriate for the governing body to have official relationships with betting and alcohol firms although he stated that the report had been requested at the beginning of the season and wasn't a reaction to Barton's criticism of their ties to such companies.

The report will be completed shortly and then a final decision will be made by the FA board over the summer.

'The sport has a duty to consider and ask itself what is right. We are actively considering what our position will be and should be. It is right we consider it and then make a positive decision on what we are going to do or not.'

With Barton stating that the FA should look at its 'own dependence on the gambling companies' as opposed to 'blaming players' in his response to the ban, obviously the FA have long term commerical sponsorship agreements with the links of Carling, Budweiser and Carlsberg, as well as Ladbrokes and everyone knows how prevalent betting companies are at club level as well.